Onion rings are a beloved appetizer and side dish enjoyed by many. Their crispy, golden exterior pairs perfectly with the soft, sweet onion inside. While delicious, onion rings can be tricky to make. Preparing the raw onions properly before breading and frying is an important step to ensure tender, evenly-cooked onion rings.
The Purpose of Soaking Onions in Ice Water
Soaking sliced onions in ice water serves a few key purposes:
- It rinses away onion juices that can cause the batter to slip off.
- It crisps up the onion slices.
- It curls the slices slightly so they hold onto the batter better.
- It removes some of the harsh, raw onion flavor.
Let’s explore why each of these reasons makes for better onion rings:
Rinsing Away Onion Juices
Onions contain sulfur compounds as well as several enzymes that are released when an onion is cut open. These substances react together to produce the characteristic sharp taste and cause eyes to water.
While delicious, these onion juices can make it difficult for batter to adhere properly to the onion slices during frying. The batter can slide right off the slippery slices into the oil.
By soaking onions in ice water, those juices get rinsed off the surface of the slices. This helps the dry batter coat the onions evenly and cling tightly so they stay crispy.
Crisping Up the Onion Slices
The cold temperature of the ice bath starts to firm up the texture of the raw onion slices. This is important because the batter will fry up extra crispy around slices that are already somewhat firm.
If batter is coated onto soft, limp onion slices, they will cook down into a mushy mess when fried. Pre-chilling them in ice water crisps them up so they hold their shape and crunch.
Curling the Slices
As onion slices soak and chill in the icy water, they will start to curl up slightly around the edges. This curving creates more nooks and crannies for the batter and breadcrumbs to cling to.
The divots and ridges in curled up onion slices help the coating stay in place better. Flat or straight slices are more prone to having batter slide off into the fryer.
Mellowing the Onion Flavor
Raw onion has an assertive, potentially overpowering flavor. By soaking onion slices in water, some of those harsh sulfur compounds get diluted away.
This is ideal when the onion will be fried into onion rings, as you want the sweetness to come through rather than an intense onion bite. The ice water draws out some of that harshness.
Additionally, the onion rings will cook to a mellow, softened texture in the hot oil. You don’t want them tasting too raw. Soaking them first balances the end flavor.
How Long to Soak Onions Before Frying
Most recipes call for soaking sliced onions in ice water for around 30 minutes before breading and frying them into onion rings.
However, anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours can work depending on your preference.
In general:
- 15-30 minutes will rinse away some juices, crisp slightly, and curl edges
- 1-2 hours mellows onion flavor, softens texture, and rings curl more
- 3+ hours risks onions getting too soft and limp
Test a slice after 30 minutes – it should be chilled and slightly flexible but not fully softened. Adjust soaking time up or down as needed.
Tips for Effective Onion Soaking
To make the most of the ice bath, follow these tips:
- Use very cold water and plenty of ice
- Separate sliced onions into individual rings
- Soak rings loosely, not packed tightly
- Stir onions occasionally to expose all sides
- Add more ice as needed to keep water cold
- Use a colander to drain onions well before battering
What Type of Onion Works Best?
Vidalia and other sweet onions are traditional choices for onion rings, as they have a mild flavor that pairs well with the crispy coating.
However, almost any type of onion can be turned into tasty onion rings with proper soaking and frying!
Common choices include:
- Vidalia
- Walla Walla
- Texas 1015
- Maui
- Yellow
- White
- Red
- Shallots
Larger onions tend to create bigger rings, while shallots make smaller, bite-sized pieces. Use any variety you enjoy!
How to Slice Onions for Onion Rings
Uniformly slicing the onions is key for even cooking. Aim for:
- 1⁄2 inch thick slices
- Separate slices into individual rings
- Use a mandoline for perfectly even cuts
- Trim away ends and root nubs
Discard any broken pieces or extra small center rings, as these can burn and fall apart during frying. Keep the large, intact rings for best results.
Batter Options for Onion Rings
The batter coating is critical for delicious onion rings with a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Basic batters contain:
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Spices
- Water or milk
- Egg
- Optional yeast or beer
Some key batter tips:
- The batter should coat onions thinly and evenly
- Too thick of a batter can become doughy
- Use ice cold soda water for extra crackle
- Resting the batter helps the flour hydrate
- Add spices and herbs for extra flavor
After coating in batter, most onion ring recipes add an outer layer of breadcrumbs or panko. This adds crunch and soaks up any excess moisture.
Shake off any excess coating before frying for the crispiest onion rings.
Frying Onion Rings
Frying is the final step to transform soft onions into crispy, golden onion rings!
Tips for frying success:
- Use refined peanut or vegetable oil
- Heat oil to 350-375°F
- Fry in batches to avoid crowding
- Allow rings to fry 1-2 minutes per side
- Drain fried onion rings on paper towels
- Sprinkle with salt right after frying
The onion rings are done when the coating is crispy and golden brown. Drain immediately on paper towels.
Enjoy the onion rings right away for the perfect crispy texture!
Onion Ring Cooking Mistakes to Avoid
When onion rings turn out poorly, the culprit is often one of these issues:
- Not soaking onions – unsoaked onions won’t hold batter
- Insufficient oil temperature – cold oil makes for greasy rings
- Battering right before frying – batter slides off partly soaked rings
- Overcrowded oil – too many rings lowers oil temp
- Thick clumsy batter – creates raw doughy coating
- Cooking too long – makes onions slimy and soft
Following the tips in this guide will help you avoid these pitfalls for deliciously crispy onion rings every time.
Serving Suggestions
Golden, crunchy onion rings truly complete any meal. Here are some tasty ways to serve them up:
- Appetizer with ranch or other dipping sauces
- Side dish with burgers or sandwiches
- Nestled on top of salads
- Garnish for barbecue plates or pot roasts
- Snack for parties, game day, or movie night
They also make a fun topping for nachos, tacos, hot dogs, omelets, pizzas, and more. Get creative with these delicious browned bites of onion!
Onion Ring Recipes
Ready to fry up some amazingly crisp onion rings? Try out these top-rated recipes:
Classic Onion Rings
This straightforward batter lets the onion flavor shine through. Get the recipe
Beer Battered Onion Rings
Beer adds delightful effervescence and tang to the crispy coating. Get the recipe
Oven Baked Onion Rings
For a lighter version, these are baked with panko, paprika, and cayenne. Get the recipe
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Fry onion rings to crispy perfection in the air fryer! Get the recipe
Crispy Onion Ring Tower
Build a beautiful tower with colorful onion varieties for a fun presentation. Get the recipe
Storing Leftover Onion Rings
Like most fried foods, onion rings are best fresh and hot. However, leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To revive refrigerated onion rings:
- Spread them out on a baking sheet
- Bake at 400°F for 5-10 minutes
- They will recrisp in the hot oven without getting greasy
For longer storage, cooked onion rings freeze well for 2-3 months. Reheat frozen onion rings in the oven without thawing first.
Avoid microwaving onion rings, as this makes the coating soggy. Oven baking or frying is best for leftovers.
Onion Ring History
Where did these beloved battered bites originate?
Some key points in onion ring history:
- Onion rings likely evolved from French Onion Soup in the 18th century
- Early versions were just sliced raw onions dipped in batter and fried
- They became popular fair and carnival food in the 1920s-1930s
- A&W restaurants made them mainstream in the 1960s
- Today they are an American staple appetizer and side dish
While the exact origins are unknown, their popularity continues today. Crispy onion rings are the perfect balance of flavorful and fun!
Onion Ring Fun Facts
Let’s round up some tasty tidbits about this fabulous fried food:
- National Onion Ring Day is June 22
- Burger King onion rings contain onion powder and onion juice
- McDonald’s released McOnion Rings in the 1990s
- Dairy Queen onion rings contain over 20 ingredients
- Former President Obama loves onion rings
- The largest onion ring ever was 6 feet wide
- Onion rings originated as a way to use up leftover onions
- Deep-fried pickles can be prepared using the same method
Conclusion
When prepared with care, onion rings are an indulgent, crowd-pleasing snack or side. Soaking the onions properly before breading helps ensure a crispy coating that adheres nicely during frying. Use an icy bath of water to rinse off onion juices, crisp up the slices, and curl the edges. Let the onions chill for 30-60 minutes before coating generously with a well-seasoned batter. Fry at a high enough heat to make the coating extra crispy. Enjoy these crunchy bites of onion joy while they’re hot!
